Japan's trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states jumped 49.8 percent to $49,666.2 million last year, leading to a 93.4 percent balance of trade surge in favor of the GCC countries at $34,897.2 million, according to the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro).

Saudi Arabia accounted for most of this fall, followed by Kuwait and Bahrain.

Trade with the GCC constituted nearly 6 percent of Japan's world trade, valued at $861.8 billion last year – Albawaba.com

The UAE's exports to Japan soared 68.06 per cent to Dh54.62 billion ($14,882.9 million) while imports edged up 0.77 per cent to Dh9.32 billion ($2,539.9 million) due to higher demand for machinery and equipment, including cars. Japan's crude oil imports from the UAE covered 76.63 per cent of the total at 395.4 million barrels.

The UAE was also Japan's second largest export destination with a share of 34.40 per cent.

Meanwhile, GCC aluminium exports grew 16.13 per cent to Dh853.28 million ($232.5 million), thanks to increased exports from the UAE (36.87 per cent to Dh642 million or $175 million). Exports from Saudi Arabia also improved, but those from Bahrain fell 23.35 per cent to Dh189.37 million ($51.6 million).